“I think most human beings go through some sort of depression in their life. And if they don’t, that’s weird.” Kirsten Dunst

From an article by Josh Patner in Flare magazine, which continues:

Dunst speaks from experience: In 2008, she checked into a rehab center in Utah to be treated for crippling depression.

Things started unraveling in 2006 when critics tore apart Marie Antoinette, which starred Dunst as the French queen.

“The movie was so personal to me, and it was like everyone was stomping on my heart.”

More flops followed, as did a breakup with her boyfriend. But she found herself unable to talk about her pain.

“And because of what I do for a living, I had to keep giving. It can dissolve you.”

She also thought that suffering would make her a better actress. “I would hold on to insecurities, because I thought it would help me. You see in people’s eyes what they’ve been through.”

Dunst is more confident now, and no longer believes that misery is essential to her craft. “I know that I perform best when I’m happy, because you can access those [painful] things and be okay at the end of the day.”

Dealing with Depression to Access Our Creativity
Many prominent artists experience depression… One of the myths of creativity is that you need to be depressed to be creatively successful. You don’t. But many creative people may be particularly susceptible to mood disorders.

Writers, psychologists and people who have experienced mood disorders talk about depression, bipolar, hypomania and anxiety - which often accompanies depression. Also included are self help resources to understand and help overcome depression.

Search Depression and Creativity

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Site author: Douglas Eby, M.A./Psychology, is a writer and researcher on the psychology of creative expression and personal growth, especially for high ability adults. He is publisher of the Talent Development Resources series of sites.